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The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex

The Queen's representative

The Lord Lieutenant is appointed by The Queen to act on her behalf in East Sussex. The title originated in the reign of Henry VIII and originally had a military function. As there was no full-time army, the Lord Lieutenant was charged with calling men of the county to arms when needed. The role of Lord Lieutenant is now non-political and unpaid.

Mr Peter Field became Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex in August 2008, and holds this office until 2021.

Royal duties

The Lord Lieutenant's duties include:

representing The Queen within East Sussex

arranging royal visits to the county and escorting royal visitors when appropriate

participating in civic and social activities including direct and indirect support to a wide range of groups, benevolent organisations, industry and local businesses

liaising with local armed forces units

submitting honours nominations

submitting royal garden party nominations

presenting honours and awards on behalf of The Queen

Keeper of the Rolls (Custos Rotulorum)

As well as representing The Queen, the East Sussex Lord Lieutenant has agreed to hold the post of Keeper of the Rolls for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice. This post dates back to the 15th century. The rolls were the records of the Court of Quarter Sessions, an administrative as well as judicial body.